Comments on: xxxHOLiC Book 1

By: darla d

darla d — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:56:36 +0000

I’m so glad that you gave this another try. I just love this series, and it was the one that really pulled me into loving manga of all kinds.

By: xxxHoLiC Book 12 » Comics Worth Reading

xxxHoLiC Book 12 » Comics Worth Reading — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:00:34 +0000

[...] because some of the things I’ve said here have appeared in the comments sections to Johanna’s reviews of previous volumes. [...]

By: Kai

Kai — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:16:21 +0000

Dark Humor. Clamp takes something dark, and lightens it a bit with cute scene’s and references of other books for fun. But the book also had scenes that get serious and gives the readers more variety.

By: Yumekui Kenbun: Nightmare Inspector Book 1 » Comics Worth Reading

Yumekui Kenbun: Nightmare Inspector Book 1 » Comics Worth Reading — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:39:45 +0000

[...] Inspector is an enjoyable supernatural manga. It’s similar in style to Xxxholic, Nightmares for Sale, or Antique Gift Shop. The book has seven chapters, each composed of a [...]

By: Johanna

Johanna — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:03:20 +0000

Use the “buy this book” in the post above to order it from Amazon.com.

By: Jez

Jez — Tue, 08 May 2007 06:36:53 +0000

I loved everything about the book (especially the atrwork) and i am trying to find somewhere that sells them…..does anyone know anywhere???

By: Comics Worth Reading

Comics Worth Reading — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 16:14:08 +0000

[...] So much for the hope raised by the first book. Book 2 emphasizes everything I disliked and eliminates what I liked. [...]

By: Johanna

Johanna — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 13:49:38 +0000

Color pages? I have no color pages. Perhaps that was only the first printing (which is a terrible decision on the publisher’s part, to change the extras based on reprinting).

The Dr. Strange comparison is great, and you have a wonderful description of that part of the series’ appeal.

By: MangaBlog » Blog Archive » Advice for writers and readers

MangaBlog » Blog Archive » Advice for writers and readers — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 13:21:27 +0000

[...] Reviews: Johanna at Comics Worth Reading re-reads xxxHOLiC and likes it better the second time around. At AoD, Jarred reviews Mitsukazu Mihara’s RIP. David Welsh likes volume 2 of Omukae Desu. [...]

By: Ed Sizemore

Ed Sizemore — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 04:57:24 +0000

Johanna, I’m glad that you gave this series a second chance. I love everything about the book, especially the artwork. The color pages are luxurious. The details are wonderful and really contribute to the mystical air of the work. The smoke from Yuko’s pipe doesn’t just rise straight up, it slithers and meanders with a life of its own. The character designs make everyone seem ethereal and slightly surreal. I’m reminded of Ditko’s work on Dr. Strange and how he could evoke this wonderful sense of otherworldliness. I think it is rare for comics really give a sense of the occult and still keep the work connected to the mundane. Mokona is incredibly cute and a great comic relief. Plus, he can drink his weight in sake!

I think the series is really about Watanuki’s growth and maturity. He has a lot to learn about himself, life and the spiritual world. I’m very interested in what the final outcome of his apprecitship with Yuko will be. He wish is never to see the spiritual reality again. I wonder if Yuko will really honor his wish or show him the true potential of his ability. Especially since he is learning that everyone is affected by spiritual side of life whether they acknowledge it or not. So he can’t escape the effects of spiritual things by not being able to see them.

(Now if I could just get you to re-read Land of the Blindfolded)